You still don't get it. $10 in "spending cuts" for "$1 in tax increases" will result in higher taxes and phony cuts to be implemented at a future date that never arrives. Pawlenty is out because he steadfastly promoted his own vast experience and successes as Minnesota Governor rather than clearly explaining that the key to a prosperous future is Reagan / Thatcher conservatism; not ever bigger central government. Bachman did this well and, accordingly dispensed with Pawlenty.

In the film, The American President, President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas) had to deal with an opponent named Bob Rumson (Robert Dreyfus). Rumson, spent his time traveling from place to place and repeating, I am Bob Rumson and I am running for President. The only problem with Bob Rumson centered on two basic facts, he wanted to throw political dirt at his opponent and emphasize a time in history when issues were simpler demanding easy solutions. Yet, President Shepherd in the film's conclusion conducts a press conference during which he reiterates that America faces serious problems and needs serious people to help solve them. The film's theme is simple, it takes serious people to solve major and serious problems. Serious and knowledgeable is a pre-requiste in the story for anyone who would seek to become President.

Like many Republicans I welcome anyone who sacrifices family responsibilities and child nurturing to make a difference in our nation's struggle against economic difficulties, job losses, the war on terror, preservation of our constitutional freedoms and national security. I would like to believe that Sarah Palin is committed to assisting the nation in facing its challenges whatever her future role. Yet, as a grassroots Republican I am still awaiting a detailed analysis from Sarah Palin which lists the programs and positions which she believes will help to solve the major issues facing our nation. I would like to read her detailed summary of America's problems accompanied by proposed solutions.

Sarah Palin was months ago well received by the tea party conventioneers in Nashville. These Americans comprise a slice of disaffected and frustrated voters. Within this group can be found Americans who want action on a variety of issues critical to America's future progress and growth. The tea partyers along with Sarah Palin should be capable of identifying the steps required to get the country moving again. Reduced taxes, limited regulations, elimination of the debt, a stronger national defense, pursuit of terrorists with vigor, combatants tried in military rather than civil courts, restoration of American jobs by elimination of federal corporate taxes, and greater advocacy of traditional social-entrepreneurial American values and freedoms, are among some of the most prominent conservative voters concerns.

People with the ability to think and act, like those at the Nashville convention, will demand solutions to the serious issues confronting the country. I believe that America will not be looking for a pied piper in 2012, but will prefer instead a strong, committed national leader, who will listen to people and advocate those policies that will move the United States forward at home and abroad. Apologists, pied pipers and photo opportunists are not suited for the presidency.

Pawlenty withdrawing from the primary race reflects the principle of weak hand folding. His weakness was wrapped up in his prentense of being conservative when he was clearly not. Weak minded compromisers are usually loved by liberals and progressives because they can't stand strong 'Ronaldus Magnus Reagan' types who are usually unyeilding, disciplined and effective.

Whinny and carping Pawlenty shamelessly attacked Michelle Bachman as being a failure in her heroic fight against the passage of Obama care, during the Wisconsin primary debates. In that breif exchange he exposed himself effectively as a little man not suited to be a leader in the US. Especially during these critical times where the need to sweep aside the scourge of Liberal/Progressive vermin in national body politic is very pressing and an existential threat to this, the greatest nation on earth.

May the counter offensive of the conservatives for the control of the executive office be led by powerful and tough leaders such as Gov. Perry, Gov, Sarah Palin or Representative Michelle Bachmann, may God bless them all. May the conservatives roll the crafty little double dealing Democrats in the congress and the senate and demolish the foundations of socialism introduced by the man-child president Mr. Obama. This is my prayer to the Lord. Amen.

This highlights a serious drawback in the US presidential elections system: all the sensible (which usually means, more moderate) candidates will be smacked down in the primaries because primaries are all about who is the most authentic-looking panderer to the party base. Although the intention behind the primaries was sound, to narrow down the field of the candidates, this clearly degenerated into "who is the most unreasonable and shrill crazy person on the block" contest - and independents or third-party candidates have no chance. I think it's time to change this practice. Talk about waste - billions of dollars are spent on this shameful circus.

It's a shame Mr Pawlenty had to go. His demeanor is one of a calm and truthful politician. Plus, he looked so decent until he brought the war to fellow Minnesotan Bachmann! A more presidential composure in contrast to her stubborn ideology might not have prevented his departure, but it would have left him with a little bit of honour.

A number of writers claim that Romney will be the candidate facing President Obama in the next election. I disagree because he has made a number of fatal mistakes:

1. He continues to be a Mormon.
2. He is responsible for the prototype of "Obamacare" in MA
3. He claimed that he would not heed any church, or churchmen's wishes, but only govern according to the US Constitution. This is separation of church and state as JFK also stated it.

All three disqualify him in the eyes of the "GOP BASE." They deny that the founding fathers and the Constitution provide for separation of church and state, and they wish to have their religious beliefs imposed on the population, a majority of whom do not share them. Facts such as the statements of one of the most important founders do not penetrate their thick crania.

John Adams, “History of the Principal Republics in the World: A Defense of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America (1794)”, "The United States of America have exhibited, perhaps, the first example of governments erected on the simple principles of nature, and if men are now sufficiently enlightened to disabuse themselves of artifice, imposture, hypocrisy, and superstition, they will consider this event as an era in their history. ... It will never be pretended that any persons employed in that service had any interviews with the gods, or were in any degree under the inspiration of heaven, any more than those at work upon ships or houses, or laboring in merchandise or agriculture. It will forever be acknowledged that these governments were contrived merely by the use of reason and the senses."

What is going on here? Why no mention of the joint Ames Iowa Straw Poll winnner Congressman Ron Paul? How can you just ignore this bona fide incredible result from the only person who can possibly beat Obama? The answer is you and the status quo establishment 'Big Govt Left and Right' want Obama to stay in power as their policies are identicle:- Undeclared wars for oil, growth in the American Empire killing millions, out of control public spending robbing our children of their jobless futures debt free. Ron Paul stand for Freedom, both personal and economic Liberty, abolishing the Marxist Central Bank the Federal Reserve, and getting big government central planning bureaucrats out of our lives and off our backs or you will usher in total state control as Frederick Hayek and other Austrian School Free Market Economists predicted in 'Road to Serfdom' etc. Watch 'Money as Debt' on Youtube and listen to Ron Pauls Iowa speech. The Free Market is the alternative that made American and the West prsperous, free and respected in the world. Now we are run by Kleptocrats who steal via the tax system.

Look at it with unbiased, non-partizan eyes & who can refute the glaring fact that rightwing ideologies have done more harm than good for the nation - in the long term - than liberal credos?

Nixon kindling the fall from grace & Reagan initiating the spiral into debt & penury, followed so self-destructively by both the pugilsitic Bush administrations.

And now witness the insane anti-national antics of the marauding & predatory current GOP/TP reps, hellbent on destroying the last vestiges of crdibility & faith the rest of the world may maay still retain for America.

As a moderate Democrat, I would not have voted for Tim Pawlenty in the general election. However, I agree with others here that he should not have dropped out. I would have given it to New Hampshire. If Huntsman and Gingrich drop out after Iowa, I would be kicking a trash can if I were Governor Pawlenty.

So now Gov. Perry is the flavor of the month. When was the last time there was someone hoping to be President in the territory of the US who also gave voice to the idea that a state could secede? Jefferson Davis comes to mind .... If the President swears to uphold the Constitution when he -- or she -- takes office, where would that leave Perry? Would his hand go up or down if the Foxy questioners put that one to him in a future debate?

Is it controversial to say that the Republican base hates Obama more than they love America?

I don't think so... starting from when they cheered Chicago's failed Olympic bid straight through the too-numerous-to-mention incidents of former Republican policies being relabeled "Socialist" simply because of the person in office.

Do you think this crop is happy or sad when bad economic news comes out? How many are praying for a double-dip recession?

Mitch McConnell isn't alone in "Beating Obama is my number one priority", he's just the only one to say it out loud.